Apparatus for and method of screening



May 16, 1939. w. J. MONTGOMERY Er Al. 2,158,080

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF SCREENING u Filed Jan. 30, .1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l a@ K9. MC'EQM May 16, 1939- w. J. MONTGOMERY ET AL 2,158,080

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF. SCREENING Filed Jan. 50, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y M @v- Mamw gmc/www v Patented May 16, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF SCREENING Application January' 30, 1936, Serial No. 61,620 y 8 Claims.

This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for screening; and it comprises a method of screening liquid suspensions of ne solid particles which comprises playing a submerged jet or jets of such a suspension against a screen in excess of the amount which will pass through the screen whereby the screen is kept clean, continuously removing and recirculating excess and drawing off screened suspension, and maintaining the screen submerged inv liquid to prevent foaming, the liquid on the jet side of the screen being maintained at substantially higher pressure than that on the opposite side; and it furtherfcomprises an apparatus suitable for carrying out such method and having a casing, a screen therein arranged to divide the casing into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, nozzles in the inlet chamber opposed to the screen, means l for forcing liquid suspension through the nozzles, means for maintaining bodies of liquid in both chambers submerging the screen, means for maintaining a pressure differential between said bodies of liquid tending to force unscreened liquid through the screen, and means for drawing olf -screened liquidfrom the outlet chamber and excess unscreened liquid from the inlet chamber; all as more fully hereinafter set forth and -as claimed.

Screening or sieving is astep in many kinds of processes. For example, in the art of making coating compositions in the manufacture of coated paper, one step is to screen aqueous suspensions of various pigments such as clay, calcium carbonate, etc., in order to remove all particles larger than a specied maximum size. The

present invention, while applicable to various processes, will for the sake of simplicity be dedescribed mainly in connection with screening coating materials. For such work it is a desideratum to use screens of very fine mesh; for example 100 to 400 meshes per linear inch; though hitherto it has not been generally practicable to use screens much finer than 100 mesh for such work. Even methods and apparatus which functioned at all for screening ner than about 100 mesh were slow, inefficient and expensive; they usually involved the use of vibrators or rotating screens andy were attended with dimculties due to foaming, cloggingand breaking of expensive screens of large areas.

The present inventionprovides a method and apparatus for ne screening at a rapid rate with a small screen area and in which foaming and clogging dii'liculties are eliminated.

Considering the method in detail: we take the (Cl. 21o-167) unscreened liquid suspension from a suitable source thereof, and continually play it as a submerged, high velocity jet or jets against a submerged screen. Since the jets and screen are out of contact with the air there is no opportunity for the formation of foam which sometimes retards or completelyprevents the passage of liquid through fine screens. Liquid containing particles smaller than the screen mesh passes through the screen and is removed, but we pro- Vide that a body of the screened suspension is always in contact with one side (outlet side) ofthe screen. The rate of feed of unscreened suspension is so regulated as to be in considerable excess of the rate of -passage through the screen, so that a strong flow of unscreened suspension plays violently over the screen surface and.l keeps it clean. The excess is drawn olf and is recirculated.

Furthermore we maintain a pressure differential between the liquid bodies on the two sides of the screen in a direction tending to force unscreened liquid throughthe screen. We nd that, in general, neither the jet nor the pressure dierential alone will cau/se a continuous passage of liquid through the screen, but that both are essential. Under any given set of conditions of ow, viscosity, etc., We find that as the pressure dierential is increased from zero, the screening rate increases to amaximum and then decreases. In any particular case this optimum value of the pressure differential can readily be determined by trial. i i

The jet velocity also affects the screening rate. Other things being equal, as the jet velocity is increased from zero the screening rate increases rst quite rapidly and then more slowly. At very high rates Wear of the screen may be objectionably increased. Accordingly, We adjust the jet velocity at a rate somewhat below that giving the maximum screening rate. The best velocity 'can be determined by observing the increase in screening rate as the jet velocity is increased, and setting the jet velocity at the point where the increase in screening rate with jet velocity begins to fall off. l

The adjustment of jet force and of differential pressure are substantially independent. As an example, in screening a paper coating composition composed of clay suspended in an aqueous solution of,casein, the whole containing about 40 per cent solids, through screens of 325 meshes per linear inch, We"'us e static pressure heads on the screened and unscreened liquidA in contact with the screen, of 2A inches and 50 inches re- .p controlled by a valve I in conduit 9.

spectively, and a jet velocity in excess of 20 feet per second, supplying liquid to the screen at a rate equal to at least iive times the screening rate. By this means we are able to screen such suspensions through screens of this nneness at rate as high as pounds per minute per square inch of exposed screen area or 33 pounds per minute per square inch of open area of the screen. If such high rates are not required screen life is lengthened by reducing the jet velocity and consequently the screening rate.

We have developed an apparatus which is exceptionally well adapted for carrying out the method. One example of a specific embodiment of theinvention is shown, more or less diagrammatically, in the accompanying drawings, in which,

' Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the screening device and the piping system for supplying liquid thereto and removing it therefrom;

Fig. 2 is a central section, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 3, showing the construction of a screening device embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the same device taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 shows an alternative construction for providing adjustment of the pressure head on the unscreened liquid. l

The general arrangement of the device and its connections with the supplies of unscreened and screened liquid are best seen by reference to Fig. 1. A tank II of any suitable size and form is provided for holding a supply of an unscreened liquid suspension of solid particles. The tank is provided with a lower outlet conduit I0, covered by a relatively coarse strainer I2 to keep foreign objects out of the motor-driven pump I3 which is advantageously of the centrifugal type as shown in the drawings, and removes the liquid from tank II and supplies it through a I conduit 9 to the screening device I4, which will be hereinafter more fully described. 'I'he iiow from the pump to the screening device can be Or the speed of the pump motor can be varied to adjust the flow. A branch conduit 8 provided with a valve I6 aifords means for by-passing the screening device and returning the liquid directly to tank II, if desired, and a branch conduit I8 having a valve I'I provides an outlet to the sewer to provide means for disposing of wash water or other unwanted liquid when it is desired to clean out tank II.

Liquid which haspassed through the screen in the screening device I4 passes out through a pipe 28 to a suitable 'tank I9 from which it may be withdrawn as required.

For reasons hereinbefore pointed out the pump I3 is of a capacity which will supply liquid much more rapidly then it can pass through the screen in the screening device I4. The excess of liquid "standpipe at aboutA the level indicated at 22. The' supplied by pump I3 above that which can pass throughthe screen, passes out through a pipe 20 into an open-topped stand-pipe 2| which is arranged to keep the unscreened liquid under a predetermined pressure head. As illustrated iny Fig. 1 this is accomplished by placing an overflow pipe 23 at a height equal to the pressure head desired for the particular installation. In a typical operatiomliquid is maintained in the overiiow pipe 29-carries'the unscreened liquid back to the tank II, as-shown.

If it is desired to vary the pressure head onv the unscreened liquid in the screening device I4 it can be increased by inserting a valve in pipe 20, but to prevent excessively high pressure we prefer to use an adjustable spring tensioned or weight controlled outlet valve which can be adjusted according to the `pressure head desired. A device of this character is shown in Fig. 4. Here the standpipe 2I is replaced by a downwardly directed pipe 24 in which is inserted a pressure controlling valve 25, which for illustration, is shown in the form of an ordinary swing check valve in which the swinging gate is provided with an adjustable counterweight 26 so that it resists the escape of liquid from the screening device in accordance with the setting of the weight 26, which can then be used to ad- `iust the pressure head on the unscreened liquid in screening device I4.

The construction of the screening device itself is best seen in Figs. 2 and 3. The device is enclosed in a casing or housing 30 which is divided into a lower chamber 3| and an upper chamber 32 by a partition 33. In this partition is a. threaded opening 34.

An annular frame 35 is provided for supporting the screen in place. Theframe is made with a column 36 supported centrally in opening 31 by ribs 38. The lower face 39 of the rim of the annular frame and the central column of frame 35 is nishcd flat to receive a. circular screen 40 which is fastened securely thereto by any suitable means. When using wire screens it is best to solder them completely around the rim as well as in the center thus preventing leakage of unscreened liquid around the edges; although other means of attachment can be used if desired. If screen 40 is so fine that it is too frail by itself it may be strengthened by mounting a-screen of coarser mesh above it, i. e., on the side towards the screened liquid. An annular area of open screen is exposed for use (Figs. 2 and 3). Ribs 38 are so arranged as not to come close to the screen, so that they do not interfere with the free passage of liquid through any part of it. To prevent leakage of unscreened liquid around-the threads on frame 35 `a gasket 42 may be used. Preferably thereis provided a number of spare frames 35 with screens already secured thereto, so that screens can be easily and quickly renewed when broken or worn out in service, by simply screwing out one frame 35 andinserting another in its place.

With the arrangement shown, only small pieces of the expensive ne screens are required.

The screen is shown in the speciiic embodiment as positioned horizontally, although other positions may be used if desired.

Into the-bottom l5I of the housing 30 is welded, or otherwise securely fastened, inlet pipe 52 in communication with conduit 9 (see also Fig. 1).

In the upper end of the inlet pipe, and in close proximity to screen 40, is screwed an orifice plate 53 with any suitable number-of orices 54 distributed around a circle approximately in the pressure heads on the unscreened liquid in cham.-

ber '3| and in supply pipe 52 are adjusted accordingly.' Almost all the screeningr takes place within a small area around each jet. For each jet a screen area of 3 or 4 times the orifice diameter is usually ample.

The outlet pipe 28 for the liquid which has been screened leads from the bottom of chamber 32 above screen 40, and carries the screened liquid to tank I9 as has been described. From Fig. 2 it is apparent that Vas long as chamber 3| below screen 40 is filled with liquid under pressure the liquid above the screen must be deep enough to reach at least to the upper surface of frame 35. 'I'hus a minimum pressure head of this amount is maintained' on the upper surface of screen 40, thus giving assurance that the screen will be at all times completely submerged. During operation the liquid level will rise above this point to a height depending on the rate of screening and the capacity of outlet pipe 2B. For purposes of illustration the operating level is indicated at in Fig.' 2, though it should be understood that when in operation the level may be below or above the point shown, even, in some cases, entirely submerging the entrance to conduit 28. This small change in pressure head above the screen has no appreciable effect on the screening operation, since an adequate minimum head is always maintained as already pointed out.

The adjustments for the pressure in chamber 3|, and for the jet force (valve I5 or pump I3 or both) can be made independently of each other. In apparatus designed for use always with a particular kind of suspension under the same conditions, either or both of these adjustments can be omitted.

The outlet pipe 20 for the ,excess of liquid introduced through the supply pipe 52, leads from the bottom of chamber 3| below screen 40 (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3).

yChamber 30 is provided with a hinged cover 46, shown as partly open, which is preferably provided with a wlreglass or unbreakable glass window 41 to permit observation of the ow through the screen.

The construction shown is well adapted to facilitate cleaning of the device. Lifting lid 46 and unscrewing frame 35 which carries screen 40 affords easy access to the entire interior of the device. It is also a simple matter to unscrew orifice plate 53 in case cleaning should y`at any time become necessary.

In case it is desired to screen more liquid than is possible with a unit such as that described, several such units can be provided, or larger units provided with larger screens and more jetscould be made. Usually it is simpler and more convenient, to provide a plurality of` screening elements in a chamber with connections common to all of the elements. i

The method and apparatus described have been found to' be highly efficient in screening liquid suspensions having high concentrations of solids and relatively high viscosities through very small areas of fine screens at exceedingly rapid rates and with remarkably small breakage in extensive commercial operation.

For example, one device equipped with a plurality of 200 mesh screens had a' combined gross screen area (including screen area used for soldering to the frames l35) of less than 58 square inches and a net free screen area of about 40 square inches leaving a net op'en area of only 11.6 square inches. With this device it was found easily possible to screen a slurry containing about 43 per cent of dry clay by weight, at a rate of more than three tons of dry. clay (eight tons of liquid) per hour. By the methods heretofore known and with the apparatus heretofore available it is necessary to use screens of many times this area and of coarser mesh to secure comparable screening rates, whereas in attempts to use the ner meshes it is practically impossible ,to secure any practical results.

We do not'wish to be understood as limiting our device to use with aqueous suspensions as it may be applied to suspensions in different kinds of -iiuids, nor is our device limited to use with suspensions of pigments as it may also be used with suspensions' of many different types of solids whether nely divided or brous, if screens of appropriate size and type are used. These may be'wire of any suitable Weave or metal with any suitable type of perforations or slits. The invention is applicable to coarse as well as to fine screening.

When pressure heads on screened liquid.l and on unscreened liquid against the screen or behind the orifice plate are mentioned it is to be understood that the absolute pressure may vary within considerable limits so long as the relative pressures at theV points mentioned are held within the proper limits. For example it might be advisable, in some cases, to have the entire system operating under a vacuum, and in other cases, under considerable pressure.

The apparatus described is what we now regard as the best embodiment of the invention. Changes in'dimensions and form of the various elements may be made to suit particular requirements. In the method, the rates of flow,'etc., can be varied for particular applications Aof the invention.

The term orifice is used in the specification and claims to designate a constricted opening which forms an outlet from a considerably larger passage, and is adapted to impart a high and substantially accelerated velocity to fluid issuing v into contact, nor mix with other uids, specifically air.

The term screening is used to mean controlled separation of relatively fine solid particles from coarser particles, as distinguished from filtering, which means the separation of al1 solid particles from liquids in which they are suspended. i

' What we claim is:`

1. Method of using a fine mesh screen to separate ne solid particles in liquid suspension, from oversize particles which comprises maintaining the screen completely submerged between a body of screenedliquid on one side thereof and a body of unscreened liquid at lsubstantially greater pressure on'the other side thereof, projecting a submerged jet of unscreened liquid through the body of unscreened liquid which is at the greater pressure, against the screen at high velocity and in considerable excess over the amount which passes through the screen, and

collecting the screened liquid containing the fine particles.

2. Method of using a fine mesh screen to separate oversize particles from liquid suspen- Cil sions of tine solid particles, which comprises maintaining thescreen completely submerged between a body of screened liquid on one side thereof and a body o! unscreened liquid at substantially greater pressure on the other side thereof,

-Projecting a submerged jet of unscrened liquid throughthe body of unscreened liquid which is at the greater pressure, against the screen at high velocity and in considerable excess over the vamount which passes through the screen, and

correlating the jet velocity and the pressure difference on opposite sides of the screen to give an optimum screening rat.

Y3. `Method of.ciaim 2 in which the excess of uscreened liquid is vrecirculated out of contact with air, whereby substantially all of the particles of the requisite iineness may be caused to pass through the screen.

4. Method of using a screen having at least 100 lmeshes per linear inch to separate oversize particles from liquid suspensionscontaning at least 20 per cent by weight of fine solid particles,` which comprises maintaining the screen completely submerged between a body of screened liquid` on one side thereof and a body of unscreened liquid on the other side thereof, maintaining a static pressure of a predetermined amount, at least 1 pound per square inch, greater on said body of unscreened liquid than that on said body of screened sure head in the chamberinto which the fluid.

issues.

'7. A device for screening liquid suspensions of solid particles, comprising a conduit through which fluid may be supplied to the device, at least one orice forming a. substantially restricted outlet from said conduit, a line mesh screen closely adjacent said outlet, a chamber surrounding said outlet and adjacent said screen, an outlet from said chamber, means associated with said outlet for maintaining a predetermined static pressure in said chamber, and means for maintaining said screen submerged in liquid during operation` of the device.

3. A deviceffor .screening liquid suspensions of une solid particles comprising a chamber for screened liquid, a chamber forvunscreened liquid, a partition separating said chambers, an opening through said partition, a demountable framev adapted to cover said opening, a ne mesh screen replaceably attached to said frame in such manner that when said frame is in place, liquid can only pass from one of said chambers to the other by passing through said screen, an outlet from each of said chambers, and an inlet to the chamber for unscreened liquid, said inlet being formed as a constricted oriice facing said screen in close proximity thereto.

WILLIAM J. MONTGOMERY. CHARLES F. BOYERS. 

